5000 Blankets: Movie Review and Giveaway!

Have you heard about this new movie, 5000 Blankets? If not, keep reading. I've had the privilege of pre-screening the movie and I'm giving you a quick review here on the blog. Make sure you keep reading to the end of this post because I have a fun giveaway too!!

Overview

Title: 5000 Blankets

Studio: Affirm Films

Genre: Family/Drama

Rating: PG-13, The film has received a PG-13 rating from the MPAA for “thematic elements involving mental illness”.

Run Time: 1hr. 45min. 

In Theaters: December 12 & 13, 2022.  

Talent: Anna Camp, Rob Mayes, Carson Minniear, Kim Myers, Rod Hallett, and Cindy Hogan

Buy tickets here: 5000 Blankets Tickets

About The Movie

Inspired by a remarkable true story, 5000 Blankets is filled with hope and highlights the power of family and faith. When her husband has a mental breakdown and goes missing, a woman and her young son set out to find him on the streets, sparking a movement of compassion towards those in need and inspiring a city. 

You want to make sure to see this heartwarming story coming to theaters December 12 and 13. Get your tickets now!

My Review 

When young Phillip is asked by a reporter what the biggest challenge is he responds, "Making people see what they try hard not to see." 

From my experience working with the homeless as a volunteer, I find that Phillip is spot on with this statement. We drive by the homeless day after day, trying not to see the need staring us in the face. This movie just may open your eyes and pull at your heartstrings, if not your conscience. 

While, I would say, this would be a great film to take the family to see, I do caution you to make sure you don't take young children. Its portrayal of the father's mental illness could be frightening for young children. However, it would be a great vehicle for family conversations with older kids on issues such as bullying, homelessness, mental illness, purpose, and compassion.  

I believe the subject matter was handled well. It starts a little slow but once the plot is established it moves along at a good pace. It is entertaining and keeps you engaged. Most of the acting is excellent. There are some minor characters who aren't as good but that tends to happen in lower-budget films. So it's easy to overlook and stay with the storyline. 

You may want to make sure you have a few tissues on hand. It will pull at your heartstrings. I enjoyed this movie and would watch it again with my son. 

I'm really late getting this out. So, get your tickets and go see it tonight or tomorrow!  Buy tickets today to see 5,000 BLANKETS exclusively in theaters December 12 & 13 only!

 

Get tickets here: https://www.fathomevents.com/events/5000-Blankets

*Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  #5000BlanketsMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Giveaway

Fun and quick giveaway! Hurry and enter because This giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on 12.13.22. I am giving away a $10.00 Amazon gift card to one blessed winner! 

(Note: This is limited to US winners only).

ENTER HERE 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CSB Lifeway Women's Bible: Review and Giveaway!

    

I'm so excited to be doing another giveaway on the blog this week! I really do love getting resources into my reader's hands that will enrich their walk with the Lord.
Tis the season for giving and what better gift than God's Word? And this one is for you Ladies! I'm giving away the CSB Lifeway Women's Bible. So check out the specs and my review and then enter the contest below! You can win a copy for yourself and order another for a friend with my 50% code...so read on!

About the Bible

The CSB Lifeway Women’s Bible will inspire you to laugh, grow, and worship alongside your community. It includes an in-depth collection of inspirational articles, devotional commentary, study tools, and other Bible reading helps from prominent voices in the Lifeway Women community. As you explore God’s Word, your life will be changed, inevitably affecting those around you, impacting lives one woman at a time.

Features

• Includes Bible study and devotional content from Lauren Chandler, ​Gloria Furman, Lisa Harper, Mary Kassian, Kelly King, Kelly Minter, Trillia Newbell, Jackie Hill Perry, Angel Thomas Pharr, Jennifer Rothschild, Mary Jo Sharp, Priscilla Shirer, Angie Smith, and other Lifeway Women.

• Over 100 articles were placed alongside the corresponding biblical text to foster deep reflection on Bible passages and topics focused on the life needs of women

• Nearly 100 short devotional thoughts placed throughout the Bible

• Bible genre introductions with a short overview and reading plan highlighting key passages in that section

• 66 book-focused introductions providing a concise overview with book-specific timelines

• Over 40 character profiles of key women in the Bible with questions for application

• More than 35 reflection questions to help women engage more deeply with the Bible

• Nearly 100 brief inspirational quotes on the Bible

• Over 25-word studies on individual words or phrases detailing meaning and significance, and over 30 plus charts, tables, and maps

• Two-column text layout

• Easy-to-read 9.5-point type size in black letter text for easy readability

• Durable Smyth-sewn lay-flat binding

• 2 Ribbon markers for easy referencing between pages

• Concordance

• Presentation page for gift-giving

The CSB Lifeway Women's Bible features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). The CSB captures the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others. 

My Review

This is a beautiful Bible! This Marigold Leather-touch edition feels like butter. So smooth and soft to the touch. And of course...yellow! How can you go wrong with my favorite color?! Yellow is a happy color, so if you want to infuse a little more joy into your Bible reading each day this is the Bible for you. 

I would not consider this to be a 'study bible' as there is no cross-reference system within the pages. I love to compare scripture with scripture as I study. But it does have great introductions to each book with both big picture overview, summary, key verses, and timeline to place you fully in the context of the situation and time each book was written.  And it is great for note-taking and journaling as you read with its wide columns on each page. 

I think the biggest drawback is the fact that it is a bit heavy for me to take along to church or on trips. However, It will be great for my morning Bible reading and journaling. So, yes, I do recommend this beauty to you. And if yellow is not your jam...what?! ...there are six other covers to choose from. And, for a limited time. you can purchase it with the 50% off code below! 

You can Get 50% off the purchase of (1) Lifeway Women’s Bible with code SAVE50LWB !!!! 

• CLICK THIS LINK TO ORDER. Get 50% OFF with CODE. And don't forget to enter the code: SAVE50LWB

(Only available on Lifeway.com. Limit 1 Bible at 50% off retail price, any Lifeway Women’s Bible sku. Limit one offer per person. Cannot be stacked with any other offer. Valid 11/15/22-12/31/22.)

*Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. 

Giveaway

Enter below for a chance to win a copy of the CSB Lifeway Women's Bible.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Note:  1 (one) copy of the Lifeway CSB Women’s Bible (Marigold LeatherTouch Edition)

(Note: This is limited to US winners only. 

 

#CSBWomensBibleMIN #LifewayWomensBible #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

CSB Explorer's Bible for Kids: Review and giveaway!

I love Christmas! The lights, the tree, the music, the movies, the cookies, and family traditions! All the things! I especially love Christmas morning. Early in our marriage the hubs and I made the decision that once we had children we would be sure to be home for Christmas...so that we could all experience a peaceful Christmas day. No traveling around this holiday. We wanted to establish our own family traditions around this most special day of celebration.

Christmas morning, before the kids opened their presents my husband would read the Christmas Story of Christ's birth from the book of Luke. And just in the moment in the story when Jesus was introduced into the world as a babe in the manger,  I would give the baby Jesus to one of the kids to place in our manger, alongside Mary and Joseph. This was our tradition for so many years that they never complained that they had to sit and wait to open presents. And now my daughter does the same with her little family. 

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Emmanuel, God with us. What a gift!

See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” ~ Matt. 1:23 CSB

If you know me at all, either personally or through my writing, you know that I have a great love for God's Word. His word is living and active. As I love to tell my Bible Study girls, it's not just dead letters on a page. And so I love to get the privilege of giving away Bibles. I'm so excited that this Christmas season I am going to be giving away the gift of God's Word to one of you! If you have kiddos, keep reading about the CSB Explorer Bible For Kids. 

About the Bible

The CSB Explorer Bible for Kids helps kids place God’s word in the middle of God’s world. It's filled with so many fun facts, timelines, photos, and more...bringing the Bible to life for your child with life-changing truth. Scan the QR codes scattered throughout, to bring up engaging videos, discussion questions, and activity pages that will help happy the truths and imagery of the Bible to your child's real-world experiences! It's available in hardcover and (4) LeatherTouch Editions. Every detail is designed to give kids the tools to find their way around God's Word. 

Features

Alongside the CSB text, special features help readers understand the central message within each book and discover how all books of the Bible fit together.

• Book introductions to help kids understand the key truths and takeaways for every book, including the “Who, What, When, Where, and Why”

• “Christ in Context” articles for each book to show how the whole Bible points to Jesus and the good news of the gospel

• “Discovering the Truth” callouts to help kids understand the essential truths of the Bible and apply them to their life

• “Excavating the Past” illustrations and real-world images help connect the dots between important archaeological discoveries and the Bible

• “Exploring Creation” facts and images connecting modern-day objects and things in the world today to God and the Bible

• “Charting History” illustrated timelines to survey key time periods and events in biblical history

• “Ultimate Character” profiles with fun facts and insights for important people in the Bible

• “Unearthing God’s Promises” callouts highlighting key memory verses throughout the Bible to aid in Scripture memorization

• “Big Words” dictionary to look up the meaning of some of the big words found in the Bible

• Corresponding online activities that can be done at home with family and friends, or at church with a group

• 8.5pt type size that is easy to read with words of Jesus in red

• Specially designed presentation page for gift-giving or awards

• Full-color maps section to help find places mentioned in the Bible

• Part of what makes the CSB Explorer Bible for Kids so special is the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). 

• The CSB captures the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others.

 

 You can purchase your copy of the CSB Explorer Bible for Kids today!

• Get 50% off your CSB Explorer Bible TODAY using the code EXPLORERGIFT50. Valid for 50% off retail price for up to 1 copy of the CSB Explorer Bible for Kids. This is only available at LIFEWAY.COM. VALID THROUGH 12/31/22, CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER, LIMIT 1 COUPON PER PERSON. 


• Use this link: 50% Off CSB Explorer Bible , and don't forget to use the code: EXPLORERGIFT50

My Review

God's Word is so important but sometimes it can be difficult for a child to get excited about reading it.  I believe this Bible is a great tool to overcome those obstacles. This is a Bible for children of all ages. Not a storybook type of Bible but a great study Bible for children with the tools and features that will instill in your child a great wonder and love of the Word of God. I can't wait to give my review copy to my grandson!

*Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review.  

Check out this interview to learn more about the creation of this Bible: 

Giveaway 

Enter below for a chance to win a copy of the Explorer Bible for Kids.

      

  a Rafflecopter giveaway 

#ExplorerBibleMIN #ExplorerBibleForKids #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Direction for the New Year

Do you take time at the beginning of each New Year to reassess your life? Do you set goals? Make plans for the coming year? Or do you just slip into the New Year hoping it all will be better this time around?  Wondering which direction to take?

 

Would you tell me, please, which direction I ought to go from here?"

"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat. 

~ Lewis Carroll

For me...some years I have spent a 'day of regret'. Looking back at all I have not accomplished from that list of goals from the previous year. Other years I have just slipped into the New Year with high hopes.

I'm not a New Year's resolution setter. Are you? I do think it's important to have goals. But the older I get the more I realize that my most important goal for the year needs to be focused on where God has me at the moment and where He is directing my path. 

In Lewis Carroll's book, Alice asked the cat which direction to go. He replies, "that depends a good deal on where you want to get to."  

So, where do you want to get to? I want to get to the place where my heart is in sync with God's will and I am walking out His purpose and calling on my life. Because when I'm not, I miss His peace. I miss His rest. I miss His assurance in the trials.

I've written my first article of 2022 for the Pretty & Wise website. (I hope you'll go over and check it out here: Don't Look Back). In the article, I talk a bit about some things I've learned in the story of Lot's wife. (You can find her story in the 19th chapter of Genesis). In short, Lot's wife has taught me to watch the direction of my longing heart. To pay attention to those things that have held my heart captive. And to turn back to God when the path has led me away from His Word and His will.

While we can refocus our attention and intentions anytime throughout the year, the New Year is the perfect time to reassess where we are in relation to the call of God on our lives. I decided a few years back that instead of a New Year's resolution, I would pray each year sometime in December for God to show me the One Word He wanted me to focus on for the upcoming year. I wanted to know what He was calling me to in the New Year. Was it a new concept? Something to focus on that would lead me closer to Him? 

I know that many people choose a word or a phrase for the year, but I wanted this to be from God and not my own choice. I don't want to pick a word as a goal or an aspiration to achieve. I want to hear from the Holy Spirit and keep in step with Him through this year-long One Word journey. 

This year I had not even thought to pray about my One Word, but God just dropped a word on me. MOVE. Wow . . . I'm expecting the unpacking of this word to be quite a ride! Pun intended. I'm hoping I'll be able to share insights as to where this word leads as the year progresses. I do so love an adventure. Don't you?

I'm extremely thankful that we get to look at each new year as a fresh canvas. White as the newly fallen snow outside my window. God gives us a fresh canvas each and every morning. Each and every time we come to Him in repentance. No matter how bad we may have messed up, He is there waiting for us to turn around and walk back into His loving embrace.

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23).

 

I know that God has called me to write . . . and so this year I pray He continues to give me clarity so that my writing will continue to call others to the very heart of God. Will you keep me in your prayers as I refocus on my call to write this year?

Where has God called you? Whether you choose new goals or one word, I want to encourage you as you plan for the new year ahead. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to direct your paths. Don't leave God behind. If you do, you'll find yourself exhausted. Wait for Him and follow His lead. It's in Him you will find the strength to walk out His purposes for you in the year ahead. There are good works that God has specifically planned for you. We are assured of this in Ephesians;

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. ~ Ephesians 2:10.

Whether you take a day, a half-day, or even an hour to think about the year ahead, let me encourage you from God's Word.

Wait on Him.

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31

Let God show you the way.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. ~Psalm 32:8

Acknowledge that His ways lead to the right path.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ~Proverbs 3:6

Know that it's okay when God's plan trumps ours.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. ~Proverbs 19:21

Be assured that when your delight is in God, He will take your hand and lead you forward.

The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;

 though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. ~Psalm 37:23-24

It is my prayer that you will trust that the plan God has in store for you in the year ahead will be for your good and His glory!

  

Don't forget to head over and check out my latest post at Pretty & Wise. Just click on the pic below to get there.